10 Best GPS Watches For Kayaking In 2019

If you’re an adventurous kayaker who loves to explore unfamiliar waters, a reliable kayak GPS is a vital navigation and safety tool. If you’re training for a race or go kayaking for the health benefits, a kayak distance tracker can help you track your performance. A GPS watch is a convenient and paddler friendly option. All you have to do is ensure that you choose the best GPS watch for kayaking that has accurate location tracking, is water resistant, comfortable to wear, easy to read, has a long battery life, and is rugged.

The watch will track your location, paddling speed and distance covered and let you know the calories you’re burning, and when its time to call it a day. You will be able to set waypoints and if you want barometric altimeter, compass and tide functions, some watches also offer them. Below are ten best kayaking watches with in-built GPS and other great features for paddlers. Following the reviews is a buying guide on how to choose the right navigation watch for a kayak.

Garmin Vivoactive 3 GPS Smartwatch

As you can expect with Garmin devices, the GPS functionality on the Garmin Vivoactive 3 is spot on. It will collect location, distance, and pace information as you kayak. You will get 8 to 13 hours of GPS tracking on a full charge. This watch comes preloaded with more than 15 activity profiles including kayaking and stand up paddleboarding. You can customize the data fields to suit you. Its memory capacity is 7 timed activities and 14 days of activity tracking data.

It is rugged and durable and its water resistance is 5ATM, which means it won't be affected by splashes or drips from the kayak paddle. Lightweight with a soft band, it is comfortable on your arm. It is very easy to use and even has a sideswipe interface. The display is easy to read during the day and backlight for night vision is bright. When you're not kayaking, it works great at everyday activity tracking and is elegant enough to wear to work.

What Makes This GSP Watch For Kayaking Stand Out

Reliable GPS functionality

15 preloaded sports apps and customizable

Stress measurement and contactless payments

Has a paddling mode

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EDITORS CHOICE

Garmin Forerunner 35

Although the stylish Garmin Forerunner 35 is designed as a fitness tracker for running, it is also suitable for kayaking. It is water resistant and the built-in GPS will accurately track how far, how fast and to where you paddle. It acquires satellites quickly and maps your kayak journey. The Forerunner 35 is slim, lightweight and has a comfortable strap. All these make it great for extended paddling. The sunlight-visible display is easy to see, and the data fields are customizable. The size is great even for small wrists.

What Makes This GSP Watch For Kayaking Stand Out

Accurate GPS tracking

Stylish with attractive color options

Has LiveTrack feature

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BEST VALUE

Amazfit Bip Smartwatch with GPS by Huami

Looking for an affordable but accurate GPS watch? The Amazfit Bip will cost you under a hundred dollars but you will get the elegance, features and functionalities of high-end smartwatches. Equipped with both GPS and GLONASS, it take seconds to find a GPS signal and doesn't lose the signal. You can rely on it to map your kayaking routes accurately.

This watch will track distance covered, speed, and calories burned helping you monitor the health benefits you're reaping from kayaking. You can also set it to receive weather alerts. Its battery life is impressive and this watch can track for days on a single charge.

Weighing only 1.1oz (32g), the Amazfit Bip is the perfect kayaking companion as you can paddle for miles with it strapped on your wrist. Its display is transflective, always-on and has great visibility in sunlight and a backlight for low-light situations. IP68 water and dust resistance enables it to withstand splashes, accidental submersions, dirt and sand.

What Makes This GSP Watch For Kayaking Stand Out

GPS and GLONASS capabilities

Impressively long battery life

IP68 water and dust resistance

Easy to read and always on display

Compact, lightweight and elegant

Accessibly priced and a great deal

12-month replacement warranty

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Garmin Fenix 3 GPS Watch

If you love what the Fenix 3 Titanium above offers but would prefer a lighter and outdoorsy watch, here is a version with a fiber-reinforced polymer case and a rubber band. It also has GPS/GLONASS satellite reception and an EXO antenna that connects to GLONASS and EPO to lock onto satellites fast and deliver accurate readings even in difficult conditions. The battery lasts up to 20 hours in GPS mode and as long as 50 hours in power-saving UltraTrac mode, making it great for kayaks for camping.

This Fenix 3 is easy to figure out and operate. The sunlight-visible display with LED backlight is easy to read in all conditions. This Fenix 3 is rugged and built to stand up to the roughest conditions. A waterproof GPS watch up to 10ATM/100 meters, splashes, rain, and even shortlived submersions won't damage it. It is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts such as kayakers, hikers, skiers, and mountaineers.

What Makes This GSP Watch For Kayaking Stand Out

High-resolution color chroma display

Water resistant up to 100 meters

Long battery life

Omni-directional EXO antenna

GPS/GLONASS satellite reception

View More By Garmin »

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Garmin Vivoactive

Garmin Vivoactive is one of the best GPS watches on the market. Although it does not have a kayaking or paddling mode, its GPS functionality is excellent and this is a great watch to kayak with. It locks onto the satellites and acquires GPS signals very quickly and its GPS readings are accurate. It will also track your journey and paddling activity and you can even download a kayaking app. With GPS enabled, a fully charged battery will last you 10 hours.

Thin and lightweight, it is comfortable to wear. The high-resolution color display is easy to read even under glaring sunlight and it has backlight for when conditions are gloomy. It is sturdy and water resistant so it will give you long lasting service. It is also a stylish watch you can wear everywhere.

What Makes This GSP Watch For Kayaking Stand Out

Quick and accurate GPS functionality

Excellent multi-sports tracking

Sleek and stylish

Slim, lightweight and comfortable to wear

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Garmin Vivosport Activity Tracker

If you're looking for a non-chunky kayak watch that won't burden your hands, this activity tracker is so small and light that you will forget it is on your wrist while paddling. If you have small wrists and find it hard to find a GPS watch that fits your wrists well, this trendy tracker is perfect for 4.8-7.4 inches wrists. Its GPS tracking is surprisingly accurate for a device this small. Depending on your location, the GPS can take seconds or minutes to acquire a signal.

The battery life is up to 8 hours in GPS mode. As you kayak or use it as a hiking GPS, it will track distance, time, speed or pace and even map your journey. It also has LiveTrack functionality. The interface is simple to use and the always-on Chroma color touchscreen is responsive and visible even in direct sunlight. It is water resistant and you can swim with it on.

What Makes This GSP Watch For Kayaking Stand Out

Slim and lightweight design

Accurate GPS tracking

Readable color chroma display

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Garmin Fenix 3 Titanium GPS Watch

Paddle with style, track your location and map your kayaking trips accurately with this Garmin Fenix 3 Titanium GPS watch that balances utility and elegance perfectly. Its location finding functionality is superior, as it features GPS and an EXO antenna that pairs with GLONASS and EPO to find satellites super fast and track distance and location with a high level of accuracy.

While it looks like it is made to be worn with suits only, it is equipped for outdoor activities and watersports such as kayaking, SUP boarding, and hiking. Titanium construction with a sapphire crystal make it lightweight and also virtually indestructible. With 10ATM / 100 meters water resistance, it is able to resist damage by water very well even when in a surf kayak. It is intuitive and the display is bright in sunlight or daylight and has backlight for dim light.

What Makes This GSP Watch For Kayaking Stand Out

Lightweight yet durable titanium construction

Extremely hard sapphire crystal

GPS and GLONASS satellite reception

Omni-directional EXO antenna

Versatile usability

Sunlight-visible high-resolution color chroma display

10ATM / 100 meters water resistance

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EDITORS CHOICE

Polar M400 GPS Smart Sports Watch

With the Polar M400 strapped on your wrist, the integrated GPS technology will track your location, distance, speed, and map your journey. It has a `return to start' feature that will show you your starting point and how far it is from where you are. Another thing that makes the Polar M400 one of the best kayaking watches is that it allows you to create a kayaking profile via the app.

The watch is of good quality and looks great. It can withstand shortlived submersions, swimming, and splashes. The battery life is up to 8 hours when using both GPS and the H7 heart rate monitor it is compatible with. The screen is large and easy to read and it has backlight. If you have larger wrists, it comes with an extra long strap.

What Makes This GSP Watch For Kayaking Stand Out

Ability to add a kayaking profile

Return to starting point feature

Great functionality and easy to navigate and use

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Garmin Forerunner 15

Just want a simple and affordable GPS watch with basic GPS functionality and general activity tracking? The Forerunner 15 is a great basic GPS watch and a very good value. It may take a few minutes to lock onto satellites when you in a new location but it functions well and the tracking is accurate and reliable.

It will track your time, pace and distance and map your kayaking adventures. Having GPS on throughout, the battery will last for up to 8 hours. It also has an optional heart rate chest strap. Water resistant up to 50 meters, the Forerunner 15 can withstand splashes and accidental drops into the water. It is easy to set up the watch and the buttons are easy to use. The display is easy to read and it has backlight. Lightweight and with a comfortable strap, it won't weigh your arm down.

What Makes This GSP Watch For Kayaking Stand Out

Simple design and functionality

Lightweight and comfortable

Optional heart rate chest strap

View More By Garmin »

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Garmin Fenix 5

This is hands down the best GPS watch for kayaking. It has everything a paddler needs, wants and more. Its GPS functionality and accuracy is superior as it communicates with both GPS and GLONASS satellites. It has a built-in paddlesports profile and performance metrics for kayaking, canoeing etc. It will record your kayak stroke count, stroke rate, and even distance per stroke. It also has one of the longest battery lives. With GPS on, it has a 20-hour battery life or 35 hours using the UltraTrac battery saver mode. You can rely on it on overnight or weekend kayak camping trips.

The button navigation is easy to use and the LCD display is easy to see even when it is sunny. It has a backlight for night use. Other features you will find useful on your paddling adventures include a barometric altimeter, 3-axis compass and gyroscope, map feature, sun/moon, and tides app to monitor tides if you own an ocean kayak. Water resistant up to 100 meters and featuring a rugged and durable build, the Garmin Fenix 5 is ideal for taking out on the water.

What Makes This GSP Watch For Kayaking Stand Out

GPS and GLONASS satellite reception

Has a built-in kayaking profile

20 to 35-hour battery life in GPS mode

Water resistant to 100 meters

Barometric altimeter and 3-axis compass with gyroscope

Map feature and sun/moon tides app

View More By Garmin »

How To Choose A GPS Watch For Kayaking – Buying Guide

When looking for a GPS watch for kayaking, the first thing to consider is, of course, the GPS functionality. Here are the other features you should assess to ensure you choose a paddling GPS watch with the functionality and features you need and want:

Water Resistant

First and foremost, a GPS watch for kayaking should be a water-resistant watch. It should be able to withstand splashes, downpours, and shortlived submersions and remain functional. It is impossible to find a 100% waterproof GPS watch but a water resistance rating of at least 5ATM/50meters will be sufficient.

Size

The watch’s face should be large enough to be easy to read even if you choose to mount it on the deck but not so large that it is bulky and uncomfortable on your wrist. The band length should be sufficient for your wrist size. A lightweight GPS watch is ideal as it won’t impede your ability to paddle.

Battery Life

GPS tracking drains batteries very fast. Choose a unit whose battery life in GPS mode is long enough to outlast your kayaking expeditions. This will prevent situations where your safety and navigation watch dies in the middle of your journey.

Accurate and Detailed Maps

Accurate and detailed maps add to the functionality and usefulness of a navigation watch. Choose a GPS watch that is preloaded with high quality maps and/or allows you to load more maps onto it.

Compatibility

Most GPS smart watches are compatible with both iPhones and Android smartphones. This connectivity enables you to send data to your phone for storage and for more convenience when analyzing the data. You can also receive smartphone notifications and control the music on your phone via your watch. Ensure you choose a GPS watch that is compatible with your smartphone’s operating system.

Amount of Memory

The watch’s internal memory should be sufficient to accommodate the maps, tracks and apps you will need, hold the data you will collect and still respond fast. The ability to insert a memory card or a cable to transfer some of the stored data to a larger device is also important. The GPS watch for kayaking reviews above are composed of top rated kayaking watches that have sufficient memory.

Display

The watch display should be clearly visible in all conditions and at a glance whether you choose to strap it on your wrist, mount it on the deck or strap it on the bungees. A large face with a high resolution, sunlight visible display and backlight for low light viewing is essential.

Ease Of Use

While on the water, you want an easy to navigate and operate GPS watch for kayaking even with wet or gloved hands. A button based interface is easy to use with wet hands or with kayaking gloves on. It is also great is you can customise the display so that it suits kayaking.

FAQs

Q: Why Do You Need A Kayak GPS?

A: You need a kayak GPS for navigation, safety, and for tracking your trips. A solid GPS watch kayaking helps you navigate with ease and ensures that you don’t get lost . You will also be able to track stats like speed, distance, calories burned, etc.

Q: How To Use A Watch GPS?

A: Select the relevant mode for the activity you’re about to engage in. Turn on the GPS and wait for it to find and establish a link with GPS satellites. Once this is established, the watch will provide visual feedback such as a satellite icon. Press start and embark on your adventure.

Q: Is Watch GPS Accurate?

A: The watch GPS in the best GPS watches offered by reputable manufacturers such as Garmin are accurate. If you’re doubtful, you can test the accuracy of your watch’s GPS against other GPS devices.

Globosurf Overview

A kayak GPS is an important navigation, safety and tracking tool. With the best gps watch for kayaking on your wrist, you will be able to navigate with ease and create maps of your routes. You will also be in tune with your speed, distance, and performance. Be sure to fully charge the device and practise using it before venturing into the water. The top rated kayaking watches above are some of the best gifts for kayak enthusiasts.

My name is David Hamburg. I am an avid water sports fan who enjoys paddle boarding, surfing, scuba diving, and kite surfing. Anything with a board or chance I can get in the water I love! I am such a big fan I decided to start this website to review all my favorite products and some others. Hope you enjoy!